Trip back from Eugene

Heading home from Eugene on the train today. Here we are switching
trains in Portland. The boys drove down this past weekend with Sarah,
then Sarah came home and the boys spent a couple days with grandma
Janet, Grampa Bob and varios others from Sarah's side of of the family
at the farm. I took the train down yesterday, stayed the night, and
the boys and I took the train home today. A very nice trip back
home. Right on time, too. -Gerrit

Great swimming pool

We finally made it to Stewart Heights swimming pool in east Tacoma.
The boys loved it. There is a great lazy river with innertubes and
lots of fun stuff all over. The pool is about the same size as the
one in Iceland, with a similar kid focus. But in Iceland, there were
great hottubs for adults to lounge in. Nothing like that here. And,
there were at least 8 lifeguards on duty here. There were none in
Iceland. There was a waterslide here, but only for age 7 and up. It
was way tamer than the Iceland one, which had no limits. We took the
13 bus (2 blocks from our house) which turns into the 42 and delivered
us 30 minutes later just 2 blocks from the pool. Pretty sweet. -Gerrit

Home safe and sound

Made it home just fine, but up a bit early since we are still on Iceland time (7 hour different). Hope you enjoyed following the trip. We sure enjoyed taking it. -Gerrit

Heading home now

A last museum in Iceland before leaving. We waiting to board our
flight now. -gerrit

Excellent thermal spa

The slide at a Reykiavik pool. The pool was very kid focused - lots
of fun places to play. However, it had lots of hot pots - basically
very large hot tubs. Each tub was a different temperature. Maybe 5
different temp pools. There were also shallow areas to play and lay
down or relax or whatever in all the pools. Very nice place to hang
out. -gerrit

Downtown Reykjavik

It is very windy, a bit rainy, but not really cold. The town is a bit
spread out, but has an adequate bus system. If it was a little nicer
weather, I think we would walk a bit more. The downtown has lots of
stores and restaurants. Most of the museums require a bus ride. We
are all having fun exploring the town. Currently taking a break from
the wind in a pizza restaurant. Next, the boat museum. -gerrit

Iceland

Achim, Max and Henry in front of a famous Iceland landmark church. It
is really quite impressive. Most unusual inside. It is a huge
vaulted space like most churches in Europe, but completely undecorated
inside. The columns, ceiling, and walls are all plain white. It is
light and airy and massive and clean. Very different than the dark,
old, aged, ornate, heavily decorated, and heavily painted churches
that are stuffed full of statues, candles, benches and lots of other
stuff. Tomorrow we'll take the elavator to the observation platform
in the church and hopefully hear a noon concert on the church's large
pipe organ.

We have a full day of Iceland fun tomorrow. Hopefully some parks and
museums. Nice and cool here - it is in the 50's. -Gerrit